UT football notes: Longhorns making contingency plans

AUSTIN — After losing two of its four scholarship quarterbacks this month, Texas isn’t planning to change the way it uses the two who remain but is preparing other players to handle the position just in case.

Sophomore Case McCoy and freshman David Ash, who have shared the quarterback job ever since starter Garrett Gilbert was pulled from the first half of UT’s victory over BYU on Sept. 11, will continue to split time. Even though McCoy saw the bulk of the snaps in a 49-20 victory at UCLA on 49-20, he is not considered a sure-fire starter over Ash this week against Iowa State.

With Gilbert out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery last week, and with Connor Wood having transferred to Colorado, there are no scholarship quarterbacks behind McCoy and Ash on the depth chart. But Brown said that won’t make the Longhorns more conservative with Ash, who is used in large part because of his running ability.

Although the Longhorns aren’t moving any players to quarterback full-time, they are considering the idea of preparing either wide receiver Miles Onyegbule or safety Mykelle Thompson — both of whom played quarterback in high school — to step in during an emergency. Whether it’s Onegbule or Thompson, they would learn only a small package of plays and spend the bulk of practice time at their main positions.

Longhorns thin at safety: Nolan Brewster’s decision to end his football career due to post-traumatic migraines and concussions might not be a major issue this season, as Christian Scott is returning from a three-game suspension and will replace Brewster as UT’s top backup safety.

But as Brown pointed out, it could be significant next year. Blake Gideon and Scott are both seniors, and Kenny Vaccaro is expected to receive plenty of interest as an NFL draft pick as a junior. If Vaccaro leaves, that would mean the Longhorns would have to replace all four of their top safeties.

Thompson and Sheroid Evans, both true freshmen, are the backups at free safety this week. Next year, the Longhorns could consider moving versatile cornerback Adrian Phillips back to safety.

Searching for sacks: Through three games this season, UT’s defense has only two sacks, a shortage players and coaches have attributed primarily to their opponents’ game plans. When Rice, BYU and UCLA chose to pass, they relied heavily on quick drops and conservative dump-offs that made getting to the quarterback a challenge.

As the Longhorns move into Big 12 play, where more opponents are known for firing the ball down field, they expect sack opportunities will increase.